I just want to see if anyone still experiences these problems. It has been over 2 years since my first surgery. On occasion, I have kinks where I won't feel well for a few hours but, no real pain and it always passes quickly. This past week, things have changed. On Thursday night, I had a partial blockage (self-diagnosed) that took quite a few hours to pass. Then it happened again on Monday night and the pain was very intense but, after several hours it again passed. Unfortunately, the partial blockage came back again on Tuesday afternoon and this was the worst. It was pain like I haven't had in 2 years and I was very nauseated. I ended up calling my Doctor at 10PM last night. He believes I have a partial blockage and I am now on a clear liquid diet for 48 hours. My diet has been very clean, no salads, nuts, popcorn, raw fruits or veggies. At this point, what could be causing this to occur? I do workout 4x's a week but, I have been doing that with no problems. Last week I did start a new job in retail sales so I am on my feet all the time and work varied hours. Would this be affecting me? I am getting in to see my surgeon to discuss why this began happening all of a sudden but, thought I'd throw it out to all of you to see if anyone has had these problems or if you know what causes them. Right now, the blockage seems to have passed, I still have a little pain and discomfort but, I believe that is probably just swelling from last night. I have been doing so well, I am just scared that I am taking a step backwards.

I have a hard time thinking of a blockage as a step backwards. According to my surgeon, scar tissue forms in the weeks after surgery and shouldn't continue to grow and probably won't shrink or break loose on their own. So, if scarring (adhesions) had anything to do with your previous blockages, chances are they are still there and can cause problems.

I exercise regularly too and wonder about twisting things around. It is possible that the movement causes small kinks - but not likely it causes the problem by itself. I think what has caused me more trouble than anything is stress that manifests itself physically. When under time pressure, for example, I notice that I visibly tighten my abdominal muscles - to the point I feel some pain. I'm sure tightening those muscles around things can narrow everything in there too.

So, I would attribute what you are going throught to a new job more than anything. Just a guess.

We would all like to think that there is something we did or didn't do that contributed to an obstruction. That would mean we have some sense of control over this issue. However, the truth is that we have no control over it and it is a fairly random event. Why now instead of last year or last month? There is no answer. It is not likely something you ate (unless you ate a large quantity of something you knew was troublesome). Elmer is correct, the scar tissue of adhesions forms in the first week or so after surgery. But what does change is that your intestines are in constant motion. All it takes is for your intestines to zig where they should be zagging and you'll kink....then bingo, you are obstructed.

Maybe there is a slight chance that with your new job you are not as well hydrated as you had been and maybe that makes a difference, but standing or exercise should have no impact.

Conservative treatment is the best, but if they become more and more frequent and more and more serious, then you just have to have surgery to release the offending adhesions.

Jan

I agree with all the posts so far. I have struggled with this issue more this year than any year and I need to make a decision. I like Jan's point that things zig where they should have zagged. (I can't say often enough how much I have learned from this site)
Having said that, prior to this year, when I run into problems it usually means I need to SLOW down. Realistically I can say I get very busy don't remember to drink enough, eat quickly and don't sit and take my time, wait until I am too hungry and eat too quickly, eat things I know I shouldn't because I did not take the time to pack a lunch or go home for lunch.
There are times I am my own worse enemy, those things I can probably control. Other times, well life happens and I have long since stopped beating myself up about it.
Look at how you have been taking care of yourself lately, try the liquid/lighter diet, and hopefully this will clear up on its own.

I remember years ago when I still had a tem;porary ileostomy, a friend in the same boat was told that when he suspected he was obstructed to get in the car and drive over rough roads...such as over railroad tracks.and see if that loosened things up. Well, I just bought a new car which has a very, very rough ride....it's a Mini Cooper! I figure the rough ride is insurance against getting an obstruction! Am I dreaming?

Exercise? I think there is something to it.

Tamico, what kind of exercises do you do?

My surgeon and GI doc continue to be baffled over my obstructions which started about a year after take down.

During my last hospital stay with an obstruction, I told my surgeon 'everytime I do high-impact aerobics, I have symptoms that lead to an obstruction or near obstruction'. I could tell by the look on his face that he thought I was nuts.

The first year after take-down, I couldn't work out as well due to leakage.

I taught aerobics and body toning for 22 years but was forced to resigned due to UC. I know the benefits of cardio workouts - that's why I reluctant to give them up.

I work out 6 to 7 days a week and 3 of those are high-impact aerobics (working up a sweat).

I am quite convinced there is a connection between the blockages and hard workouts.

I drink continuously while working out. Sometimes I even drink watered down prune juice; and that doesn't seem to help much.

Feed back, please.

Peggy,

Interesting that you say that. I do take a step class three days a week for 60 minutes and once a week for 90 minutes plus, a pilates class once a week. I have had trouble after pilates a few times. It was always when we did a new move that really challenged or twisted my core. I have learned that on some of these moves I need to do the modified version, my body just can't take the advanced moves all the time.

I am trying to drink more water lately. I do think part of my problem is that I have been run down and I should know better that to let myself get to that point. I am seeing my Doctor tomorrow as this just started happening. I have been doing so good since my takedown which was in August of 2005. I am just concerned because it seems to have come out of the blue and the one blockage did cause me to vomit.

I may be over reacting but, when you go along so good for so long and then this happens, it just scares me a bit. I do have to learn to slow myself down more and not take on so much. Maybe all will be solved by doing that.

Tara,

I find what when I do slow down, everything is better. And the reverse is true - over doing it sets me back.

I've vomited with most of my blockages. The good thing about that is they rush things a bit more in the ER.

Let us know of anything with the doc visit. Keep up the workouts but I would say cut back a bit - you are doing a lot.

At what point do you know that it's time to go to the E.R. when you're sure you have a blockage? I've had a few and have gone each time, but maybe I didn't need to, as they always seem to clear up on their own, while I'm at the hospital.

I've been dehydrated before and it is not fun. That's the only reason I'm quicker to go to the E.R.

Brian

It's basically a judgement call, particularly if this is recurring. You certainly don't want to be hanging around the ER when you don't need to.

However, there are two instances where it is a necessity:

1. You are unable to keep down fluids and you have not urinated in 12 hours. Without IV fluids, you are in danger of dehydration that is potentially permanently damaging to your kidneys.

2. The pain is severe and unrelenting. It is possible that your intestines have become twisted and you are in danger of bowel ischemia or even bowel death, requiring a resection. This is a surgical emergency.

Jan

I've only had one partial blockage -- I think -- and I'm pretty sure it was either completely random or due to the fact that I was crazy busy that day and ate my food at light-speed, not chewing really well. Hey, if eating too fast and gulping can cause hiccups, why not a blockage? Or, like I said, maybe it was completely random.

As to exercise, I exercise 4-5 times a week: speed walking, biking, pilates, and yoga. In decent weather I am also busy with things like gardening. My experience is that it all helps my gut feel better and more settled, rather than the opposite.

Maybe there are just little blockage/kink gremlins running around?

Gin